12 Best 2D Platformer Games For Newcomers

One of the most popular types of games is 2D platforming, which has some truly amazing games. If you are just starting out, here are some of the best ones.

Platformers, especially 2D platformers, are some of the best and easiest types of games to get into. Video games like Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog were some of the first to play in this genre. There are a lot of 2D platformers on the market now because the business has changed so much over the years. That means there is a choice for every kind of gamer, whether they want a fun or challenging experience.

For people who are new to 2D platform games, the crop is ready to be picked. This is the best time ever to start playing 2D platformers thanks to companies like Nintendo and the rise of independent games. If you’re new to this popular type of games, these are some of the best ones to start with.

Kirby’s Epic Yarn

Kirby’s Epic Yarn, which is only available on the Nintendo Wii, is one of the cutest and most enjoyable 2D platformers. If the title doesn’t already tell you, this new book in the long-running series about the hungry pink blob is all about yarn, knitting, and making things. Even if the gameplay didn’t hold up (which it definitely does), the look of this adventure will keep you hooked to the screen the whole time.

This game is different from others in the Kirby series because our puffy figure has been turned into yarn and can’t use his breathing ability. This 2D sidescrolling game is great for people who are new to the genre because it slowly leads you through new stages by letting you use Kirby’s yarn moves at set times. The game is also very easy to play with a friend locally, which makes it even more fun and silly.

Spelunky 1 And 2

Spelunky has been a favorite indie game for a long time. The games are a cute mix of Super Mario Bros., Tomb Raider, and randomly created roguelikes. In both games, you play as a daring explorer who goes deeper and deeper beneath. With a whip and good jumping skills, you need to fight monsters, find treasure, and figure out secrets that haven’t been told yet. There will be a lot of fun to be had because each run will be different from the last.

It’s easy to play and understand the rules: everything hurts you. In roguelikes, you have to try and die, which means that failing is a normal part of the experience. Anyone can quickly learn how to play Spelunky, even if they have never played before. It also has a co-op mode that can hold up to four people. You or another experienced player can help others find their way.

Dadish

Have you ever wished you could play a 2D game as a fat radish who is also a dad? This very specific question should have an obvious answer of yes, because Dadish and its two follow-up games are must-plays for anyone who likes this type of game. If you’ve never played a Dadish game before, this is by far the best one to start with.

The main goal of Dadish, a pretty normal 2D platformer, is to hop, jump, and bounce on bad guys to get to the end of each stage and save one of your radish kids. Yes, the game is easy to understand because you move from one stage to the next on a world map. But the writing in this game is incredibly clever and funny, which makes it stand out from other games like it.

Sonic Mania

Sonic Mania is not only one of the best 2D Sonic games, but it’s also a treasure trove of memories, charm, and fun gameplay. If you missed the Sonic games of the 1990s, you should play Sonic Mania, which was made with a lot of fan input and is very well put together. This game combines Sonic’s lightning-fast speeds with fast-paced ring collecting in levels that are perfectly tuned. Some of the levels are new versions of ones from the 1990s.

Sonic Mania is both stylish and fun to play. The people who made it clearly know what Sonic fans like about the 2D versions of his games: how fast and crazy the gameplay is. Anyone new to the genre will enjoy this a lot, since the game gets harder as you go through the rounds.

Wunderling

Wunderling is a popular 2D puzzle game that you may not have heard of. Find out why this game is great for both genre veterans and people who have never played anything like it before. Wunderling is about a cute yellow creature that has to get through bright stages that look like puzzles. The unique part of the game, though, is that your character is always moving to the left or right, and you have to control his moves as you go through difficult levels.

On the surface, that idea might sound hard to understand, but it actually makes for a smooth platforming game, kind of like an auto-runner but with slower, more deliberate moves. The game has a lot of different stages, each with their own secrets, rewards, and funny moments.

Rayman Origins

Rayman Origins came out first in 2011 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii. It came out for other systems the next year. Even though Rayman Legends, its follow-up, seems to get more praise, Origins is still the best Rayman game for people who are new to 2D platformers. Even after ten years, Rayman Origins still has some of the best graphics in the genre, well-thought-out level design, and a challenge level that gets harder as you get better at platforming.

There are some classic platforming stages in Rayman Origins where you just have to run and jump, grab items, and get to the end of the stage. Of course, once you understand how the game works, you can also play harder rhythm-based stages that will really test your skills. In any case, Rayman Origins is a beautifully made 2D game that people who have never played anything like it will enjoy.

Yooka-Laylee And The Impossible Lair

The second Yooka-Laylee game is called Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair. The first game was a 3D platformer that was a lot of fun for people who liked Banjo-Kazooie or Super Mario 64. It’s interesting that Playtonic changed things up for their second game with the main characters. The Impossible Lair is a 2D game with some really cool stages, puzzles, and a fun overworld to explore.

You might be scared off by the name of the game, “impossible lair,” but don’t be. You spend most of the game jumping from one platform to another while catching butterflies. If you decide to go into the lair, these butterflies give you an extra hit from monsters or traps. Thanks to the punishing challenge of the lair, Playtonic updated the game to make this last zone much easier to handle with lots of help, and you can skip it completely if you want to.

Celeste

Even though it might not sound like much, Celeste is a great 2D game for people who are new to the genre. You play as a young woman on a journey to find herself as she climbs a mountain. With beautifully planned levels, beautiful pixel art, and great music, it’s everything you could want in a great platformer.

The default experience of Geometry Dash Subzero is long and hard, but it has a huge number of accessibility choices that make it easier to get into. Because of this, accessibility choices aren’t just for disabled people; they can help make a game more fun for everyone, no matter what skill level. This will help you enjoy the game more, even if you are just starting out.

Super Mario World

There’s a good reason why Super Mario World is the oldest game on this list. One of the best 2D platform games ever made, this Super Nintendo classic is still going strong. For those who don’t know, Super Mario World comes after the great Super Mario Bros. Yoshi is in this game, and the overworld map is better. There are also a lot of cool new stages.

If you want to learn more about how important the genre is to the games business as a whole, Super Mario World is a great place to start. You learn slowly how to get through each new world, collect coins, save Princess Peach, and beat Bowser in the end. Yes, there are times when the later parts are really rough. You have a lot of time, though, to learn how to use Mario and Yoshi’s moves. In short, if you’re new to the type, don’t miss this one.

The Adventure Pals

Do you know about The Adventure Pals? If you said “no,” you should put this game on your wishlist right away, especially if you’re new to 2D platform games. The Adventure Pals is a fun and easy platform game about Wilton, a young boy who loves rocks, and a crazy giraffe whose tongue spins around. You would be right if you thought all of that was crazy and pointless.

There is a touching story about family, facing your fears, and beating the chances underneath all the silly stuff. This game’s platforming includes quick movement, simple puzzles in the environment, tasty boss fights, and the chance to collect cupcakes to get hats for your cute characters. There was a lot of care put into making Adventure Pals. It takes its time to teach you how to play and then lets you go.

Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze

Okay, the Donkey Kong platform games might not be known for being the easiest to play. But Tropical Freeze is a great game that’s easy for beginners to pick up. The game was first released on the Wii U, but it was later moved to the Nintendo Switch, where it became known to many more people as a great platformer.

If you’re new to platform games, Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze is a great choice because it always gives you the tools you need to get through each stage. You can also buy things that will help you, and if that doesn’t work, you can play the game in Funky Kong mode, which will make it really easy to get around.

Shovel Knight

You should play Shovel Knight if you want a 2D platforming game that is both new and good old. This independent platform adventure game is about a character named Shovel Knight who uses their armor and “weapon” to search the land for their partner Shield Knight and save them. It has interesting personalities, a story that keeps you interested, and levels that are a lot of fun for players of all skill levels.

The art and music are based on the Nintendo Entertainment System, which was the first and best video game system. The result is a very authentic retro look with modern design quality. Everyone who sees, hears, writes, or plays this game will find it hard to stay away from its strong charm. For people who don’t want to play alone, it even has a co-op mode.